1997 SUBARU LEGACY stabilizer link

G4M0516
3) Remove bolts which secure stabilizer link to front trans-
verse link.
4) Remove jack-up plate from lower part of crossmember.
B: INSPECTION
1) Check bushing for cracks, fatigue or damage.
2) Check stabilizer link for deformities, cracks, or damage,
and bushing for protrusions from the hole of stabilizer link
and its play.
G4M0519
C: INSTALLATION
1) To install, reverse the removal procedure.
NOTE:

Install bushing (on front crossmember side) while align-
ing it with paint mark on stabilizer.

Ensure that bushing and stabilizer have the same iden-
tification colors when installing.
2) Always tighten rubber bushing location when wheels
are in full contact with the ground and vehicle is at curb
weight condition.
Tightening torque:
Jack-up plate to crossmember:
18±5 N⋅m (1.8±0.5 kg-m, 13.0±3.6 ft-lb)
Stabilizer link to front transverse link:
29±5 N⋅m (3.0±0.5 kg-m, 21.7±3.6 ft-lb)
Stabilizer to crossmember:
25±4 N⋅m (2.5±0.4 kg-m, 18.1±2.9 ft-lb)
27
4-1SERVICE PROCEDURE
5. Front Stabilizer

G4M0520
6. Front Crossmember
A: REMOVAL
1) Disconnect ground cable from battery.
2) Loosen front wheel nuts.
3) Lift-up vehicle, and remove front tires and wheels.
4) Remove both stabilizer and jack-up plate.
5) Disconnect tie-rod end from housing.
6) Remove front exhaust pipe.
G4M0521
7) Remove front transverse link from front crossmember
and body.
8) Remove nuts attaching engine mount cushion rubber to
crossmember.
9) Remove self-locking nuts connecting steering U/J and
pinion shaft.
10) Lift engine by approx. 10 mm (0.39 in) by using chain
block.
11) Support crossmember with a jack, remove nuts secur-
ing crossmember to body and lower crossmember gradu-
ally along with steering gearbox.
CAUTION:
When removing crossmember downward, be careful
that tie-rod end does not interfere with DOJ boot.
B: INSTALLATION
1) Installation is in the reverse order of removal proce-
dures.
CAUTION:
Always tighten rubber bushing when wheels are in full
contact with the ground and vehicle is at curb weight
condition.
Tightening torque:
Transverse link bushing to crossmember:
98±15 N⋅m (10.0±1.5 kg-m, 72±11 ft-lb)
Stabilizer to bushing:
25±4 N⋅m (2.5±0.4 kg-m, 18.1±2.9 ft-lb)
Tie-rod end to housing:
27.0±2.5 N⋅m (2.75±0.25 kg-m, 19.9±1.8 ft-lb)
Front cushion rubber to crossmember:
69±15 N⋅m (7.0±1.5 kg-m, 51±11 ft-lb)
Universal joint to pinion shaft:
24±3 N⋅m (2.4±0.3 kg-m, 17.4±2.2 ft-lb)
Crossmember to body:
98±15 N⋅m (10.0±1.5 kg-m, 72±11 ft-lb)
2) Purge air from power steering system.
NOTE:
Check wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.
28
4-1SERVICE PROCEDURE
6. Front Crossmember

8. Lateral Link
A: REMOVAL
B4M0644A
1Crossmember

2Adjusting bolt

3Stabilizer link

4Rear lateral link

5Bushing (C)

6Bushing (A)

7Front lateral link
8Bushing (B)

9Washer

10Cap (Protection)

11Bushing (D)

12Trailing link

13Self-locking nut
Tightening torque: N⋅m (kg-m, ft-lb)
T1: 44±6 (4.5±0.6, 32.5±4.3)
T2: 98±15 (10.0±1.5, 72±11)
T3: 113±15 (11.5±1.5, 83±11)
T4: 137±20 (14.0±2.0, 101±14)
34
4-1SERVICE PROCEDURE
8. Lateral Link

G4M0529
1. FWD MODEL
1) Loosen wheel nuts. Lift-up vehicle and remove wheel.
2) Remove rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
3) Remove stabilizer link from rear lateral link.
4) Scribe an aligning mark on adjusting bolt, adjusting
wheel and crossmember.
5) Remove bolts securing lateral links to housing.
6) Turn cap (lateral link) counterclockwise until it contacts
stopper, then remove cap.
7) While holding adjusting bolt’s head with a wrench,
loosen self-locking nut.
CAUTION:
Always loosen self-locking nut before turning adjust-
ing bolt.
8) Lateral link removal
(1) Left lateral links
Remove adjusting bolt and front and rear lateral links.
(2) Right lateral links
Support crossmember with transmission jack.
Remove bolts securing crossmember to vehicle body.
Lower transmission jack until adjusting bolt can be
removed. Remove adjusting bolt, front and rear lateral
links.
2. AWD MODEL
1) Loosen wheel nuts. Lift-up vehicle and remove wheel.
2) Remove stabilizers link from lateral link.
3) Remove A.B.S. sensor harness from trailing link.
(A.B.S. equipped models.)
B4M0573A
4) Remove bolt securing trailing link to housing.
5) Remove DOJ from differential.
6) Scribe an alignment mark on rear lateral link adjusting
bolt and crossmember.
7) Remove bolt securing lateral link to housing.
8) Remove bolts securing front and rear lateral links to
crossmember, detach lateral links.
CAUTION:
To loosen adjusting bolt, always loosen nut while hold-
ing the head of adjusting bolt.
35
4-1SERVICE PROCEDURE
8. Lateral Link

10. Rear Crossmember (FWD Model)
A: REMOVAL
G4M0541
1Crossmember

2Adjusting bolt

3Adjusting wheel

4Stabilizer link

5Rear lateral link
6Self-locking nut

7Front lateral link

8Washer

9Cap (Protection)
Tightening torque: N⋅m (kg-m, ft-lb)
T1: 44±6 (4.5±0.6, 32.5±4.3)
T2: 127±20 (13.0±2.0, 94±14)
T3: 137±20 (14.0±2.0, 101±14)
G4M0542
1) Disconnect lateral links from housing.
2) Remove rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
3) Remove heat-shield cover.
4) Remove four bolts securing crossmember to body.
B: INSPECTION
Check removed parts for wear, damage and cracks, and
correct or replace if defective.
43
4-1SERVICE PROCEDURE
10. Rear Crossmember (FWD Model)

11. Rear Crossmember (AWD Model)
A: REMOVAL
B4M0572A
1Crossmember

2Floating bushing

3Adjusting bolt

4Stopper

5Stabilizer link

6Rear lateral link

7Front lateral link
8Washer

9Cap (Protection)

10Trailing link

11Self-locking nut

12Crossmember reinforcement
lower (Sedan model only)
Tightening torque: N⋅m (kg-m, ft-lb)
T1: 25±7 (2.5±0.7, 18.1±5.1)
T2: 44±6 (4.5±0.6, 32.5±4.3)
T3: 98±15 (10.0±1.5, 72±11)
T4: 113±15 (11.5±1.5, 83±11)
T5: 127±20 (13.0±2.0, 94±14)
T6: 137±20 (14.0±2.0, 101±14)
CAUTION:
Do not subject A.B.S. sensor harness to excessive ten-
sion. (A.B.S. equipped models.)
1) Separate front exhaust pipe and rear exhaust pipe.
2) Remove rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
3) Remove crossmember reinforcement lower.
(Sedan model only)
4) Remove rear differential.
45
4-1SERVICE PROCEDURE
11. Rear Crossmember (AWD Model)

1. Suspension
1. IMPROPER VEHICLE POSTURE OR IMPROPER
WHEEL ARCH HEIGHT
Possible causes Countermeasures
(1) Permanent distortion or breakage of coil spring Replace.
(2) Unsmooth operation of damper strut Replace.
(3) Installation of wrong strut Replace with proper parts.
(4) Installation of wrong coil spring Replace with proper parts.
2. POOR RIDE COMFORT
1) Large rebound shock
2) Rocking of vehicle continues too long after running over
bump and/or hump.
3) Large shock in bumping
Possible causes Countermeasures
(1) Breakage of coil spring Replace.
(2) Over-inflation pressure of tire Adjust.
(3) Improper wheel arch height Adjust or replace coil springs with new ones.
(4) Fault in operation of damper strut Replace.
(5) Damage or deformation of strut mount Replace.
(6) Unsuitability of maximum and/or minimum length of
damper strutReplace with proper parts.
(7) Deformation or loss of bushing Replace.
(8) Deformation or damage of helper in strut assembly Replace.
(9) Oil leakage of damper strut Replace.
3. NOISE
Possible causes Countermeasures
(1) Wear or damage of damper strut component parts Replace.
(2) Loosening of suspension link installing bolt and/or nut Retighten to the specified torque.
(3) Deformation or loss of bushing Replace.
(4) Unsuitability of maximum and/or minimum length of
damper strutReplace with proper parts.
(5) Breakage of coil spring Replace.
(6) Wear or damage of ball joint Replace.
(7) Deformation of stabilizer clamp Replace.
47
4-1DIAGNOSTICS
1. Suspension

1. Front Axle
A: REMOVAL
1) Disconnect ground cable from battery.
2) Jack-up vehicle, support it with safety stands, and
remove front wheels.
G4M0214
3) Unlock axle nut.
4) Remove axle nut using a socket wrench.
CAUTION:
Be sure to loose and retighten axle nut after removing
wheel from vehicle. Failure to follow this rule may dam-
age wheel bearings.
G4M0215
5) Remove stabilizer link.
G4M0216
6) Remove DOJ from transmission spindle.
7) Remove front drive shaft assembly from hub. If it is hard
to remove, use STs.
ST1 926470000 AXLE SHAFT PULLER
ST2 927140000 PLATE
CAUTION:
Be careful not to damage oil seal lip when removing
front drive shaft.
When replacing front drive shaft, also replace inner
oil seal.
8) Remove disc brake caliper from housing, and suspend
it from strut using a wire.
9
4-2SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Front Axle